Your home’s outside air conditioning unit is probably the last thing you think about once the temperatures go down. However, there are a few simple things you can do now to make sure your AC is in working order once the temperatures are back on the way up. (Before you do anything, turn your air conditioner off.)

Give it a nice cleaning.

When you use things a lot, they get dirty, plain and simple. Changing the air filter is a good first step toward air conditioner cleanliness, but it’s not the only one. Wiping down inner coils, outer casings, and frequently used controls before the air outside gets frosty can help homeowners to avoid any gunk-causing issues when they start it back up in the warmer months. As an added bonus, it just looks nice and there’s nothing bad about taking pride in your air conditioning unit.

Check it

Once it’s clean and dry, check to see if anything needs fixing or replacing on the unit like the air grille fan guard or fan blade. If it’s really damaged, we recommend replacing now. If it’s just a dent, you can wait until spring.

Look into the possibility of getting a new unit

The best time to buy a swimsuit is during winter, because it’s the one time of year that no one is buying them out of necessity. That same logic goes toward purchasing new air conditioning units. If you’re thinking about switching yours out for a newer, shinier model, the best time to talk to someone about it is when other people aren’t as likely to be buying. You’ll have better chances at getting more proverbial bang for your buck and installation professionals are going to be more likely to have plenty of openings to fit your busy schedule.